Obama Signs Bill Closing Lock On Mississippi River To Slow Carp Spread

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A lock in Minneapolis will be closed to prevent invasive carp from spreading upstream under the water projects bill signed by President Barack Obama.

Under the legislation signed Tuesday, the Upper St. Anthony Falls lock will be closed to boat traffic.

The lock is the northernmost navigational structure on the Mississippi River. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources says closing the lock will help keep invasive carp, such as bighead and silver carp, from reaching Mille Lacs Lake and other waters north of the Twin Cities.

DNR Commissioner Tom Landwehr says closing the lock will protect local economies and outdoor heritage in north-central Minnesota.

Under the new law, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has up to one year to close the lock.